India, Naga rebels agree to extend ceasefire

BANGKOK,Wednesday (AFP) Separatist rebels from northeastern Nagaland state and the Indian government agreed after four days of talks in Bangkok to extend their nine-year-old ceasefire for six months, a rebel spokesman said.

"The ceasefire is extended by six months," National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) spokesman Kraibo Chawang told AFP by phone from the Nagaland capital of Dimapur.

The ceasefire had been due to expire at midnight Tuesday (1830 GMT).

"It was also agreed to reactivate and make effective mechanisms to address all ceasefire issues, including modification of ground rules," a joint statement signed by NSCN general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah and New Delhi's chief peace negotiator K. Padmanabhaiah said.

The two sides admitted that there had been "insufficient progress in the (previous) talks".

The statement called for "new initiatives" to carry the negotiations forward.

The talks at a Bangkok hotel had been scheduled to last through Saturday and Sunday but went into two extra days when no progress was made.